The Netherlands meets all international standards and is well-reputed worldwide. A diploma from a Dutch university provides an opportunity to start one’s own business and can be very useful in terms of having a successful career in any country of the world. The Netherlands is often described as the “gateway to Europe”. It takes only about an hour to fly from Amsterdam to Paris, Berlin, Brussels, or London. It also has great connections and accessibility by train to all major European cities.
International students from all over the world come to study in the Netherlands. In 2014/15, international students came from a total of 157 different countries, mostly from Germany, China, Belgium, Italy and Spain. Most Dutch universities have international student associations, which help students throughout their studies.
The Netherlands has also been recognized as a knowledge center with rich study traditions and well-known universities. Scientific research at Dutch universities is very highly valued at both the national and international level.
The Netherlands has a very effective teaching method called project-based learning. This makes you study actively, participate, work in teams and focus on real-life problems.
Compared with other western European locations, the cost of living in the Netherlands is relatively low. From my own experience and from my friends’, you will need between €800 and €1,000 per month. To fund this, you can combine part-time jobs and study finance. If you are a EU student, you can work 32 hours a month and be eligible for a €265 grant and a student OV-Chipkaart for free public transportation either during the week or weekends.
The Netherlands is one of the diverse country in the EU due to its culture and geographical location. Students from over 150 countries comes to the Netherlands to study. The Netherlands is often described as the “gateway to Europe”. It takes only about an hour to fly from Amsterdam to Paris, Berlin, Brussels, or London. It also has great connections and accessibility by train to all major European cities.
The Dutch educational system is of high quality and Dutch universities are acknowledged worldwide for their well-designed, modern courses and facilities. They are well known for their pioneering technology. The teaching style focuses on teamwork, which makes it easy for international students in the Netherlands to meet Dutch people as well as other international students.
Further, if you decide to have a job alongside your studies, you can also declare these expenses, and get some money back from taxes. How cool is that? In addition, many Dutch universities offer grants and scholarships that can reduce or fully cover the tuition fees of study programs.
All students and their educational institutions of choice must fulfil the Netherlands student visa requirements. These procedures and rules apply to exchange students as well:
There are two types of Netherlands student visas that students can apply for during their tenure at their chosen university.
1.Application Submission and Payment
A provisional residency permit or MVV is required for travel to the Netherlands. The MVV is a sticker issued in the passport by the Dutch representative. In some cases, an MVV may not be required. Only a recognized educational institution can submit applications for a study permit. A recognized educational institution has entered into a contract with the IND and is included in the Public Register of Recognised Sponsors. IND or the Immigration and Naturalisation Department is the nodal agency for assessing all applications from foreign nationals for a stay in the Netherlands.
The educational institution applies for both the MVV and the residency permit simultaneously. The application is then sent to the IND by the educational institution.
In summary, the IND receives application fees and the application from the university that a candidate has applied to.
2.Applicant Verification
Once the IND has received the application, the university will get a confirmation notice. The confirmation letter specifies the date the IND received the application. It also indicates the time frame within which the IND will decide.
The agency then reviews the application to verify if it is correctly filled. An applicant can track their application on the My IND website.
3.Decision
The IND determines whether the applicant and the educational institution satisfy all of the requirements for a residence permit. The IND is required to make this decision within 60 days.
4.Collection of the MVV
One can collect the MVV from the Dutch representative listed on the application form by the educational institution.
An applicant has three months to pick up the MVV. On the day one receives the MVV, the passport must be valid for at least six months.
When one collects the MVV, one must submit their biometric details.
5.Traveling to the Netherlands
You can travel to the Netherlands once you have received the student visa for the Netherlands. The MVV is only valid for up to 90 days. The validity period is indicated on the MVV sticker. The sticker also has two other dates:
The MVV permits one to travel inside the Schengen Region.
6.Costs for Netherlands Student Visa
The student visa for the Netherlands is €207 (INR 17,500). However, certain other costs may apply. An applicant can visit the IND website for more information on these extra costs for the student visa the Netherlands provides.
Netherlands’ student visa processing time is 60 days, as mentioned by the IND or the Immigration and Naturalisation Department.
For the student visa, the Netherlands charges a fee of €207.
Students must present financial documentation to the institution demonstrating that they have the financial ability to support both their living expenses and tuition cost for the Immigration and Naturalisation Department (IND). However, verification of tuition costs is not required for exchange students. According to Netherlands student visa financial requirements, a student must have enough money to cover their living costs for a year, or €11,100 , plus the tuition cost charged by each university.
Most universities in the Netherlands require applicants to present proof of English language proficiency to ensure smooth communication between students and instructors. IELTS is a universally accepted proof of English language ability across the Netherlands.